A process complementary to generalization is discrimination. Whereas generalization is reaction to similarities, discrimination is reaction to differences. Conditioned discrimination is brought about thro selective reinforcement and extinction.
Generalization and discrimination appear in ordinary behaviour. The young child who has learned to say “bow-bow” to a dog may understandably respond in like manner to a similar stimulus, such as a sheep. And a child on first learning the name “Daddy” may use it for all men. By differential reinforce and extinction the response is finally narrowed to a single appropriate stimulus.